Cllr Philip Brady appointed County’s new First Citizen

From as far back as Mullahoran’s Philip Brady can remember, Fianna Fáil and politics were always an integral of his life. From being told to “whishht” every time Charlie Haughey appeared to speak on the news, to listening to the car-top speaker driving up and down the streets of Ballinagh.

He remembers the sharp, slightly chemical, clean, pungent, and papery scents of freshly delivered leaflets to the Fianna Fáil office, with pictures of Rory O’Hanlon, Jimmy Leonard, and Johnny Wilson on them at election time.

“I never thought the day would come that my father would not be involved in politics. He was there that long I thought he’d go on forever,” said Cllr Brady, having accepted the chain of office following his appointment to the role of Cathaoirleach at the Cavan County Council AGM on Monday last, June 12.

Addressing his fellow elected members, following his unopposed elevation , he opined: “I was only too delighted to try follow in his footsteps. But little did I know that those were very big shoes to fill.”

Cllr Brady’s appointment was historic, becoming the third member of his family to be appointed as the county’s first citizen.

Like his predecessor John Paul Feeley whose late father Eddie Feeley served as Cathaoirleach (1996-97/ 2005-06), Cllr Brady’s own dad Danny held the chain of office twice in his 47-year stint across eight terms (1985-86/ 2001-02).

“He settled so well into the role and was here that long they changed his name from Daniel to Danny on the plaques behind me.”

When Cllr Brady’s late aunt Veronica Sharkey joined her brother on the council, it marked another family first and unique achievement for the county. She wrote her name into the record books on her own terms when she became the first female elected as Cathaoirleach (1990-91), paving the way for several others since.

Throughout his speech, Cllr Brady credited those closest for the support given to him.

He noted that, although his father sat as a councillor, the “real politician sat at home, namely Lillie Brady. A lady, a wonderful mother and a queen to us all. She guides me as she did my father for so long. Humble, kind, respectful, and hardworking are just some of the traits she taught me, and these I try to live by on a daily basis. I am extremely proud and lucky to have both my parents here today.”

He also publicly thanked his two boys -Tom and Rian - and wife Hazel, now expecting the couple’s third child, commenting that in life-long partners “you always look for someone to inspire you, to make you get the best of yourself, push you to succeed, and to be a role model to your kids and all around you. Without a lot of people, I wouldn’t be here today, but without her I definitely wouldn’t [be].”

Cllr Brady was first elected to the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Area in 2014, taking his father's seat when he retired. He was re-elected in 2019, and taking the chain of office on Monday afternoon, Cllr Brady set out his ambition “to highlight and promote topics, which are particularly relevant to the people of Cavan".

He acknowledged that the preservation of the environment is an “important local, national and international issue”.

Roads too are top of his agenda, with more funding needed across the board, and Cllr Brady welcomed the progress being made on the Virginia Bypass and N55 Ballytrust to Killydoon projects.

On housing he said: “We need to ensure every household has a dwelling suitable to its needs, located in an acceptable environment at a price or rent that people can afford.”

He followed this by offering his support for healthworkers at Cavan General Hospital, welcoming planned investment in the Emergency Department, the Oncology Unit, while adding that more must be done to offer 20-week scans for expectant mothers, invest in mental health services, as well as speech and language therapy, orthopaedic and psychological supports for children.

“I hope the year ahead sees the good working relationship between the councillors and the council staff remains very positive,” said Cllr Brady.

“I look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead for me in the coming year and I hope to represent this great county of ours with dignity and honour for the next 12 months.”

Cllr Brady took over the role from outgoing cathaoirleach, Cllr John Paul Feeley. The Mullahoran man was presented with the chain by outgoing Leas Cathaoirleach Patricia Walsh, having been nominated for the position by party colleague Clifford Kelly and seconded by Áine Smith.

The event was attended also by Fianna Fáil’s Brendan Smith TD, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, and by Cllr Brady’s first cousin, Independent Senator Sharon Keogan.

Fine Gael’s Carmel Brady, meanwhile, was appointed to the position of Leas Cathaoirleach, having been nominated by Val Smith, and seconded by Madeleine Argue.

There was enthusiastic praise from all councillors in respect of both councillors to their respective positions.

Chief Executive Tommy Ryan added that it was a “proud day” for anyone to achieve the position of Cathaoirleach. “It’s a statutory role, a leadership role, you are an ambassador for the county, and it is a ceremonial role.”